Community Calendar

A selection of favorite paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford during the 2025 season. These are images created during Plein Air painting sessions in the Rockford area. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

Join the Boone County Conservation District for a morning of giving back to nature as we put our efforts towards clearing brush and removing invasive species from our native habitats. No experience is necessary - instruction and tools are provided.
Make sure to wear clothing and shoes that are sturdy and are acceptable for outdoor work.

The free AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will again be available at the DeKalb Public Library and is for people with low to moderate incomes. AARP Foundation Tax -Aide volunteers will be available by appointment most Saturdays from February 7 through April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Be sure to bring a photo ID and all necessary tax documents, as well as last year’s return forms.

Please sign up for an appointment by contacting Frances at (815) 991-9418.

For more information, please contact the reference desk at (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150 or at reference@dkpl.org.

Joy Meyer

Taft Gallery Artist, February 1 – March 31

Joy Meyer earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Art Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 2005 after teaching art for thirty years, the last twenty years at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, IL. Joy also taught many workshops for both teenagers and adults during her career and shortly after retirement. She has won numerous awards for both her painting and her teaching.

Joy has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass, and silk painting, but the medium she has chosen to specialize in during recent years is Acrylic Painting. She enjoys working in a fairly realistic style using primarily bright, cheerful colors. Her actual painting techniques vary depending on the subject matter being painted and the mood desired, often using many techniques within a painting to better represent the details within the painting. Joy also enjoys the challenges of working in an increasingly wider variety of subject matter.



America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21
Sponsored by Ron Bry

Awards Reception
February 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Judge: Stuart Roddy
Music: Jim Kanas & Roger Hintzsche

Participating artists include Cindy Bear, Alice Blue, Richard Born, Bob Cholke, Rick Davis, Connie Fry, Beverly Garcia, Chuck Gregory, Timothy Griffith, Dan Grossmann, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Maggie Isaacs, Bob Kapheim, Julie Kennelly, Linnea Koch, Paula Kuehl, Bob Logsdon, Colleen Logsdon, Henry Matthiessen III, Joy Meyer, Gary Pearson, Joe Popp, Stephonie A Schmitz, and Joseph Virbickis.

Today Was Tomorrow - a solo show by Kari McDonald will kick off our 2026 exhibition season. Lemuette is the artistic moniker of Rockford-based printmaker Kari McDonald. Her meditative, nature-inspired work invites viewers to slow down and find moments of calm. Her intricate designs in woodblock often feature native prairie plants, whimsical flowers, and playful critters, capturing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

FAM is open Tuesday - Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 12 to 5 PM.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

Explore a World of Reading at one of our biggest events of the year!

Mark your calendar and join us for a day of literary exploration filled with crafts and activities, suitable for readers of all ages. Admission is free, and memories are guaranteed.

Wall up your friends in Fortunado’s catacombs, sample synonym buns and half-baked ideas in the world of The Phantom Tollbooth, craft your own Mad Hatter hat and meet Alice in Wonderland, show off your archery skills like Katniss Everdeen, and more!

Thank you to the following sponsors for making this event possible: The Treehouse Pie Company, Off the Leash Coffee, Sycamore Hy-Vee, and the Friends of the DeKalb Public Library.

For more information, please contact Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Blooming Fusion returns to The Next Picture Show after its successful debut in 2024, bringing back a vibrant 2D art exhibition inspired by flowers, plants, and gardens. Running February 18 through March 28, 2026, this juried show highlights fresh perspectives and creative connections rooted in the natural world. The exhibition features original works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, mixed media, pen & pencil, and charcoal.

The gallery is open 10-4 Wednesday-Saturday or by appointment.

Everyone is invited to bring their old wrist watches, pocket watches and other time keepers to the Durand Library to learn more about those pieces which are resting quietly in your bureau drawer. How old are they, the maker, special qualities and of course some idea on the value of the piece.

Here is how presenter Jack Liston feels about timepieces: "My background is in automotive and aerospace industries which lead me into fine timepieces I enjoy how they have precision movements with some watches have well over 200 moving parts I have always been intrigued how things are made and how they work. " In short, he loves them and would be glad to see and talk about your timepieces.